Work Begins

Thought it would be a while before I got my hands on the car due to working away, but turns out the job has been delayed so spent this morning getting it ready for the paint shop.

Day I got it:



Plan was to just give it a good clean buy some ats cups, drop it and fit a new hood and use as a summer run around, but after seeing just how good of an example the car is I've decided to go full out with it and get it back to the way a low mileage example should be.

Damage to the front was not located to just the wing and door as originally thought, the front panel has gone in and possibly the front O/S leg may have moved slightly toward the N/S but an easy repair.

Stripped the kit off as I wanted to get amongst any corrosion on the arches and rectify it but over the moon to find there is non, also want the lower half painted with the arches off so everything gets a good coat.









I'm undecided if I should fit a new wing and front panel or have the originals repaired, hard decision as the quality of the steel in the factory panels is far supperior to the pattern parts I've fit in the past, Also means braking the original sealant inside the inner wings that has kept the car rust free for the last 18yr.

If you want a genuine wing I have a paprika red one that needs painting.

Mate, you weren't kidding when you said it was mint!

Aye It's a keeper for cert, anyways got them coilovers fitted forgot what a pain the access to the rears are on the cabby, anyways all done and dusted but going to raise them slightly as I don't want to notch the inner wings for drive shaft clearance.

Before:


After (took the opportunity to clean and polish the inner arches):


Before:


After:

Just waiting now to get this side re-sprayed and the dents removed then to buy a new hood.

looks nice dude i love the red .

this ones mine

looks fantastic bud, and pretty much what I'm aiming for.

Little update:

Bought the mk1 GTI off here to salvage a few bits form my motor including coilovers, crystal front headlights, alloys and single grille. Sold the tintop on to recover some funds and now plan to get my hood "in black mohair" this week and the O/S lower half painted a week later if I'm home.

Wheels need spacers or a little ground off the caliper due to clearance issues but will be painted with black centers and a polished dish.